BlueTEC Texel tidal energy platform successfully launched

Taking just six months from the drawing board to realisation, the BlueTEC Texel tidal energy platform was installed in the summer of 2015 and is operating off the island of Texel in the Netherlands. The prototype is producing electricity from the tides into the local grid.

BlueTEC Modular is designed to be transported and installed all over in the world to provide clean energy in remote areas and small islands, replacing diesel gensets.

The BlueTEC Texel Tidal consortium, which has developed the prototype, includes Bluewater, Damen, Niron Staal, Van Oord, Acta Marine, Vryhof Anchors, TKF, Tocardo, Schottel Hydro, NIOZ, Tidal Testing Centre, Nylacast and the Port of Den Helder. Niron Staal, which is part of Damen, built the platform at its facility in Amsterdam.

Just before the end of 2015, the platform was fitted with a more powerful Tocardo T2 turbine. Previously the platform was tested with the smaller T1 turbine. At a later stage multiple Schottel Hydro turbines will also be tested on the platform.